Preparation of a cellulosic adsorbent by functionalization with pyridone diacid for removal of Pb(II) and Co(II) from aqueous solutions

Abstract

A cellulosic adsorbent (PDA–MCC) was prepared by halogenation of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and functionalized with pyridone diacid (PDA) for removing lead and cobalt ions from aqueous solutions. PDA–MCC was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and thermal gravimetric analysis. The performance of PDA–MCC in removing lead and cobalt ions was examined by investigating the adsorption behaviors of lead and cobalt ions on PDA–MCC. Results from the adsorption of lead and cobalt ions on PDA–MCC showed that the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption isotherms could be described by the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities of PDA–MCC towards lead and cobalt ions were determined to be 177.75 and 122.70 mg/g, respectively, which are greater than those of most reported cellulosic adsorbents. The reusable experiment showed that PDA–MCC could be regenerated in an acid solution, and had the adsorption capacities remained greater than 75% even after five cycles of regeneration.